Coaches
Hello to all New and Returning Coaches!
 
Let's start by saying,  "Thank you very much!" for volunteering to coach one or more of our VCYS soccer teams. We appreciate your committment and will be here to assist you all along the way. Much of the following information is critical to a fun and successful season, so please read it thoroughly. 

Valley Center Youth Soccer (VCYS) seeks to provide a safe and fun soccer experience for its players, parents and coaches. We believe that a quality organization is measured by its conduct and attitude, both on and off the field. We feel that how the game is played is even more important than winning itself.

As one of our volunteer Coaches you are supporting the players and we thank you. Remember, your actions reflect upon the team, and our organization. You are a role model. Set a good example by your conduct and sportsmanship. Please remember that you are also a teacher and are making memories for the young people you coach with each of your interactions. Please try your best to be as positive a role model as you can. We appreciate the fact that you are a volunteer and we can never say it enough, "Thank you".

This information below is not meant to overburden you, but to help your team run as smooth and efficiently as possible. Remember as coaches you can and should delegate as many of these duties to the parents as you feel comfortable.

If you have any questions or need any sort of help, please feel free to email me, I'll be happy to help as best I can. 

Again, thank you for your help,

Rick Hall, President
president@vcys.org
  
Critical Responsibilities that MUST occur prior to the start of season:
1. Administration Registration Forms.
 
All Coaches must submit a current Administrator Reg Form each year!
 
The Registrar needs to have this BEFORE you take the field with the players.
 
Since we need these forms signed, please don't email them, Hand them to a VCYS Board Member if you happen to no one, or mail the form to:
 
VCYS Board
PO Box 1028
Valley Center, Ca
92082
2. Risk Management.
 
All Head Coaches, Assistant Coaches, and Team Parents who will be on the field or interact with the players MUST be Risk Managed BEFORE you take the field with the players.
 
It is a simple process involving completion of a form and getting your fingerprints scanned.
The following is a list of Live Scan Locations in San Diego County. Many are very close and convenient.

A suggestion, call the location first. Some of these are mom and pop shops who don't necessarily hold regular hours. Be prepared to pay a fee between $15 and $25. There is no reimbursement from the league, sorry.
 
Be sure to bring this form with you! Request For Live Scan Service
 
For further information please view CALSOUTH's Risk Management FAQs page.
3. YM3 Licensing.
 
All Head Coaches must be YM3 licensed. CALSOUTH offers YM3 classes in our area. The Calendar link will list when classes are available. This short class MUST be completed prior to the start of the season. 
4. Player Draft.
 
All Head Coaches (except for Coaches in the PeeWee Division) must attend or have a representative attend the Player Draft.  The date for this years Player Draft is posted in the Calendar link. 
 
2012 Draft Rules
5. Contact your Players as soon after the Draft as is possible.
 
Parents are often eager to find out who their kids coaches will be and when practices will be held. Please contact every player on your team as soon after the draft as possible. 
6. Read and Follow the VCYS Coaches Code of Conduct.
 
Each Coach will ensure that his/her conduct sets a good example for team members and spectators. To meet these responsibilities, the Coach is expected to:
  • know the official Laws of the Game of soccer
  • know the Rules of CALSOUTH and abide by them.
  • instruct the player and parents in the rules and motivate each player to compete according to these rules.
  • communicate practice and games times to the players and parents.
  • respect the game officials at all times.
  • refrain from questioning the officials decisions or challenging their authority.
  • respect the coaches and players of other teams before, during, and after the game.
  • take appropriate steps to minimize scoring in runaway games.
  • promote good sportsmanship among players, parents, and fans.
  • teach and practice good sportsmanship and fair play by personally demonstrating these virtues.
  • maintain control of emotions and avoid actions, language, and/or gestures that may be interpreted as hostile or humiliating to players, coaches, referees, or fans.
  • monitor the behavior of players and parents during practice and games.
  • teach each player to be humble and generous in victory and proud and courteous in defeat.
  • help participants have fun while teaching them the technical skills of soccer.
  • foster team building and camaraderie.
  • promote the concept that soccer is a game, and that opposing players and coaches are opponents, not enemies.

Each Coach agrees to the above code of conduct , certifies that he/she has read all the CALSOUTH/VCYS Rules and will abide by them and acknowledges that coaching in this soccer program is a privilege and not a right.

Critical Responsibilities that MUST occur after Practice has begun:
1. Choose your Assistant Coach and Team Parent.
 
If you haven't done so already, it is critical to choose your Assistant Coach and Team Parent as soon as possible. You are going to need their help in coordinating many of the responsibilities listed below. Please make sure that each fills out an Administrator Reg Form and each gets Risk Managed. Refer both of your assistants to the VCYS website (www.vcys.org) to help them become informed about their duties and responsibilities. Team Parents have their own information page at the Team Parents link.
2. Attend the Mandatory Coaches Meeting.

Mandatory means that you have to attend this meeting. At this meeting the Directors of Coaches will spend a very brief amount of time going over your responsibilities as VCYS coaches. They will also offer tips and assistance should you need any. Finally, at the end of this meeting your team uniforms will be handed out. So, please do not miss this meeting. The date for this years Mandatory Coaches Meeting is posted in the Calendar link. 

3. Review the Team Parents Page with your Assistant and Team Parent.

The Team Parents link has information on the following:

  1. Team Rosters for Parents
  2. Team Rosters for Referees
  3. Team Snacks
  4. Game Schedule
  5. Picture Day
  6. Sponsors
  7. Team Banner
  8. Uniforms
  9. Equipment
  10. Player Nutrition
  11. Team Party and other information
As Head Coach you will need to review all of this information and decide which duties could be assigned to the Assistant Coach or Team Parent. So please review this information thoroughly and discuss the duties with your support staff.
 
Here are a couple versions of Game Roster Forms you may wish to use:
 
Game Roster Form (Word .doc)

 Game Roster Form (Adobe Fillable .pdf)
 
4. Discuss the VCYS Players Code of Conduct with your Players.
 
Please have your players read the VCYS Code of Conduct for Players. For some age groups you may have to read the rules to them or summarize what you think are the most important points. The VCYS Code of Conduct for Players is as follows:

Each Player is expected to:

  • know and respect the rules of soccer and the Rules of CALSOUTH and abide by them at all times.
  • show respect and courtesy to officials and coaches by following their instructions and directions.
  • respect the game officials and refrain from addressing them or commenting on their decisions during or after the game.
  • maintain control of his/her emotions, avoiding the use of abusive or profane language, taunting or humiliating remarks, and/or gestures and physical assault upon another player at any time.
  • refrain from questioning the officials decisions or challenging their authority.
  • respect the coaches and players of the opposing team and display sportsmanship at the conclusion of a game and be humble and generous in victory and proud and courteous in defeat.

Remember that soccer is a game, and treat players and coaches on other teams as opponents, not enemies.

For older groups you may want the players to read and sign a Code of Conduct form. If you need such a form it is provided for you below:
 
VCYS Code of Conduct form for Players
5. Discuss the VCYS Parents and Spectators Code of Conduct with your Parents.
Although it is great to assume that everyone will act accordingly during a soccer match, history tells us that this is not always the case. If you have spent anytime involved in a recreational league, they you have probably witnessed someone doing something or saying something inappropriate during a practice or game. The VCYS Parents and Spectators Code of Conduct is designed to remind all fans how to behave on the sidelines. As the coach, you are responsible for the behavior of your parents and spectators. Please discuss or have available for your parents to review the VCYS Code of Conduct for Parents and Spectators:
 
The Parents and Spectators role is one of support to the players and coaches. Parents should not engage in "coaching" from the sidelines, criticizing players, coaches, or game officials or trying to influence the makeup of the team at any time. Every Parent and Spectator is expected to:
  • learn and respect the rules of soccer and the Rules of CALSOUTH and abide by them at all times.
  • show respect and courtesy to game officials, coaches, and players at all times.
  • respect the game officials and refrain from questioning their decisions during or after the game.
  • refrain from addressing the officials, coaches, and/or players in a loud, disrespectful, or abusive manner.
  • maintain control of emotions and avoid actions, language, and/or gestures that may be interpreted as hostile or humiliating to players, coaches, referees, or other fans.
  • cheer for your child's team in a positive manner, refraining at all times from making negative or abusive remarks about the opposing team.
  • ensure that your child is at all games and practices at the required time or provide the coach with an appropriate excuse beforehand.
  • demonstrate appropriate gestures of sportsmanship at the conclusion of a game, win or lose.
  • teach and practice good sportsmanship and fair play by personally demonstrating these virtues.
  • promote that soccer is merely a game, and treat players and coaches on other teams as opponents, not enemies.
     
If you would like your parents to sign a Code of Conduct form, one is provided for you below:
 
VCYS Code of Conduct form for Parents and Spectators
Critical Responsibilities that MUST occur after the Season Ends:
1. Fill-out Player Evaluation forms.
 
Each Head Coach must complete the Player Evaluation Form at the end of the season. These forms are required to be turned in, along with your equipment BEFORE you may receive your teams trophies.
Other Helpful Information:
General Soccer Lessons:
General Soccer Lessons from www.coaching-kids-soccer.com/ :
General Soccer Lessons from Washington Youth Soccer:
General Soccer Video Lessons from US Youth Soccer :
Pee Wee Division (4-5 year olds)
Special Rules for Pee Wee Games
 
US Youth Soccer Practice Activities (from www.johnnapiersoccer.com):
US Youth Soccer U6 Practice Plans (from www.johnnapiersoccer.com):
US Youth Soccer U6 Specific Practice Lessons:
U6 Practice Plans (from Washington Youth Soccer):
   
Division 6 (6-7 year olds)
US Youth Soccer U8 Practice Plans (from www.johnnapiersoccer.com):
US Youth Soccer U8 Specific Practice Lessons:
U8 Practice Plans (from Washington Youth Soccer):

Division 5 (8-9 year olds)
US Youth Soccer U10 Practice Plans (from www.johnnapiersoccer.com):
US Youth Soccer U10 Specific Practice Lessons:
U10 Practice Plans (from Washington Youth Soccer):
U10 Practice Plans (from Washington Youth Soccer):

Division 4 (10-11 year olds)
US Youth Soccer U12 Practice Plans (from www.johnnapiersoccer.com):
US Youth Soccer U12 Specific Practice Lessons:
U12 Practice Plans (from Washington Youth Soccer):

Other Soccer Websites that could be Useful:
 

The FA
Respect Guide  

 

 

 
         
         
 

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